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When comparing the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander, it's easy to see which vehicle emerges as the best choice in the midsize SUV market. While both SUVs cater to families and provide seating for up to eight, the Pathfinder goes a step further in offering enhanced comfort and superior performance.
This comprehensive review covers the similarities and differences between the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2024 Toyota Highlander. Our guide aims to help you understand the differences so that you can make a more informed purchasing decision for your next family SUV.
2024 Nissan Pathfinder vs. 2024 Toyota Highlander Overview
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder is a roomy midsize SUV with seating for up to eight people. This SUV delivers a smooth ride that's great for long road trips and daily commutes, and it's ready to support the entire family. But the Pathfinder isn't just a family car - it was also designed with many rugged qualities. The Pathfinder is a great all-around performer with optional all-wheel drive and up to 6,000 pounds1 of maximum towing capacity.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that also provides seating for up to eight people. This SUV has a smaller standard engine with less horsepower than the Pathfinder but also has standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive.
The Toyota Highlander is also designed as a family vehicle, providing good handling and a smooth ride but with a lesser focus on ruggedness. With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds2, the Highlander offers respectable towing ability, albeit less than the Pathfinder.
So, what truly sets these two vehicles apart? Let's explore the specs, interior and exterior dimensions, and the factors that determine the winner in the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander matchup.
Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander Specs
| 2024 Nissan Pathfinder | 2024 Toyota Highlander | |
| 3.5L V6 | Engine | 2.4L 4-cylinder |
| - 284 - 295 (Rock Creek) | Horsepower | 265 |
| Front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive available) | Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive available) |
| 9-speed automatic | Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| 7 or 8 | Seating Capacity | 7 or 8 |
| 6,000 lbs1 | Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs2 |
| 18.49 gal | Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.9 gal |
| 70.9 in | Height | 68.1 in |
| 197.7 in | Length | 194.9 in |
| 77.9 in | Width | 76.0 in |
| 16.6 cu ft | Cargo Space (Behind Third Row) | 16.0 cu ft |
| 44.3 in | Front Legroom | 42 in |
When you compare the Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander, you'll notice that many of the figures are similar. Each vehicle is available in front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, although the Pathfinder has a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the Highlander has an eight-speed automatic. Each vehicle has seats for seven or eight people depending on trim level, and the overall measurements are similar as well.
The actual difference in the specs lies with the power, performance, and towing capacity. The Nissan Pathfinder provides more horsepower and a higher towing capacity than the Toyota Highlander. View our available 2024 Nissan Pathfinder inventory to explore more stunning specs along these lines.
Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander Size & Interior
Both the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Highlander are great family vehicles, but when looking at sizes, the Nissan Pathfinder has the edge here.
In terms of external dimensions, the Nissan Pathfinder is larger in every measurement. It's longer, wider, and taller, meaning more cabin space. This translates into more headroom and legroom for passengers.
Let's take a closer look at the details for head, shoulder, hip, and legroom for both vehicles.
Nissan Pathfinder Dimensions
The total interior passenger volume of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder is up to 148.5 cubic feet on all trims except the top-tier Platinum model, which has 145.2 cubic feet. The seating dimensions are:
- Headroom (1st/2nd/3rd row): 42.3/39.6/37.8 inches
- Legroom (1st/2nd/3rd row): 44.3/35.5/28.0 inches
- Shoulder room (1st/2nd/3rd row): 60.8/59.6/58.4 inches
- Hip room (1st/2nd/3rd row): 58.3/56.3/46.7 inches
The Pathfinder Platinum headroom specs vary slightly from the above measurements. It gets just a bit less front and second-row headroom - third-row headroom remains the same - measuring in at 41.1 inches (front) and 38.4 inches (second row).
Toyota Highlander Dimensions
The total interior passenger volume of the 2024 Toyota Highlander also varies by trim, coming in at 141.8 cubic feet for lower models, 139.5 for mid tiers, and 136.3 for top trims. No matter how you look at it, the Highlander has less passenger volume than the Nissan Pathfinder. The seating dimensions are:
- Headroom (1st/2nd/3rd row): 41.2/39.4/36.1 inches
- Legroom (1st/2nd/3rd row): 42.0/38.7/28.0 inches
- Shoulder room (1st/2nd/3rd row): 59.0/58.7/55.0 inches
- Hip room (1st/2nd/3rd row): 57.2/57.0/45.6 inches
As you move up the Highlander trim list, some of the headroom and shoulder room measurements decrease.
Both vehicles provide three rows of seating, but the Nissan Pathfinder boasts more passenger space in almost every category. It has advantages like 44.3 inches of front legroom, which is significantly more than the 42 inches of front legroom in the Highlander. The Pathfinder also has 16.6 cubic feet of cargo room when all the seats are in use, which, once again, is more than the Highlander offers: 16.0 cubic feet.
As for what comes standard in the interior, the Pathfinder also has the edge here. Comparing the base trims of each model, we see that the Pathfinder S and Highlander LE both have standard 8-inch infotainment touch-screen displays, 7-inch digital gauge cluster displays, six-speaker sound systems, and tri-zone automatic climate control systems, but only the Pathfinder S has an Advanced Drive Assist Display. The Pathfinder S FWD also has a lower starting price than the Highlander LE FWD.
From an available Bose® 13-speaker sound system to heated leather-trimmed seats, the Pathfinder has much more to offer. Learn more about Nissan Pathfinder deals at Don Williamson Nissan, and you'll find more value to discover in this already-value-packed SUV.
Third-Row Toyota Highlander vs. Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander both offer third-row seating. Depending on trim level, the middle row of seats in each vehicle can seat two or three passengers. The third row of seating in both the Pathfinder and Highlander offers 28 inches of legroom, but that's where the similarities end. The Nissan Pathfinder offers a spacious third row of seating that can make the Toyota Highlander feel cramped. Its generous figures add up to a more comfortable ride for kids and grownups alike.
Nissan Pathfinder vs. Toyota Highlander Safety
Every Nissan Pathfinder comes equipped with standard safety features that vary by trim level and optional safety features you can add on. Standard Pathfinder safety features include Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot and Lane Departure Warning systems, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, and Intelligent Driver Alertness.
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder also offers the latest advancements in safety technology, with available features like:
- Intelligent Lane Intervention
- Pathfinder ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link
- Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range and Hold with Traffic Stop-Go
- Intelligent Around View Monitor
- Pathfinder Advanced Drive-Assist Display
- Traffic Sign Recognition
Finance your new Nissan Pathfinder at Don Williamson Nissan today to enjoy enhanced on-road safety.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander also comes with a suite of standard and available safety features. These features include a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and more. Standard Pathfinder features like Rear Automatic Braking are not standard on the Highlander.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safety features of the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder?
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder comes with a suite of standard and available safety features. Safety Shield 360 comes standard and provides features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist. Available safety features include ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link, which uses mapping to adjust you to the flow of traffic.
Does the 2024 Nissan Pathfinder require premium fuel?
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder does not require premium fuel. The Rock Creek model has standard intelligent 4WD, and its 3.5-liter V-6 engine is enhanced to provide additional horsepower and torque, but this enhanced output is only available with premium fuel. You can use regular fuel in the Rock Creek, but you may see a reduction in horsepower and torque.
Is a Nissan Pathfinder bigger than a Toyota Highlander?
Yes, the Nissan Pathfinder is larger than the Toyota Highlander in terms of external dimensions and many cabin and seat-based measurements. The Pathfinder boasts a longer, wider, and taller stature, translating into more cabin space. This results in increased comfort for passengers, along with more cargo room, making the Pathfinder a more spacious option when compared to the Toyota Highlander.
